The Synergy of Trade Unions of Veterinary Doctors and Technicians of the DRC is currently on strike to express its concern over the lack of control and surveillance of animal or zoonotic diseases in the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to the Synergy of Trade Unions coordinator, Jean Benoit Miziele Mparawa, the health of the Congolese has never really concerned the government.
As a result of this strike, all specialized veterinary services are closed, in particular those which issue import and export authorizations, animal quarantine services, veterinary services at border posts, veterinary clinics, slaughterhouses, pharmacies and laboratories. This situation has important consequences for the surveillance of animal and zoonotic diseases, thus endangering the health of the population.
Veterinary health professionals decline all responsibility during this strike period. They also call for vigilance on the part of importers and consumers of meat, dairy products and their derivatives, because veterinary expertise cannot be provided in these areas.
It is crucial that the government takes its responsibilities and responds to the demands of the unions of doctors and veterinary technicians in the DRC. Public health is at stake and it is essential to ensure adequate control and surveillance of animal diseases to protect the population.
While waiting for a resolution of this strike, the Congolese population is recommended to take additional precautions, such as washing their hands with soap and clean water after being in contact with animals. Vigilance is required to avoid any health risk in the face of the current lack of control.
Veterinary expertise plays a key role in the protection of public health, it is therefore essential to support veterinary health professionals in their demands for better surveillance of animal diseases in the Democratic Republic of Congo.